Michael Shannon to Announce 2014-15 Jeff Award Nominees Next Friday

Stage, screen and television actor Michael Shannon will announce the 2014-2015 Equity Jeff Awards nominations on a video to be released Friday, August 21 at www.jeffawards.org.

Mr. Shannon began his professional acting career in Chicago. He is a founding member of A Red Orchid Theatre and has earned five Jeff nominations and two awards, most recently in 2013 for Simpatico at A Red Orchid Theatre. He has also received numerous awards, including an Oscar nomination, for such critically acclaimed films as Revolutionary Road and Take Shelter - though general audiences may recognize him most as Superman's arch-enemy, General Zod, in Man of Steel or Nelson Van Alden in HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Mr. Shannon can be seen this fall on the silver screen in 99 Homes and Freeheld and on stage at A Red Orchid Theatre in their upcoming world premiere production of Pilgrim's Progress by Brett Neveu.

Mr. Shannon will announce nominations in 36 categories for productions from among 61 producing organizations that have contracts with Actors' Equity Association.

All are invited to the 47th Annual Jeff Awards ceremony honoring excellence in Chicago theatre which will be held on Monday, October 5th, at Drury Lane Oakbrook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace.

The Jeff Awards has been honoring outstanding theatre artists annually since it was established in 1968. With up to 55 members representing a wide variety of backgrounds in theatre, the Jeff Awards Committee is committed to celebrating the vitality of Chicago area theatre by recognizing excellence through its recommendations, awards, and honors. The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Each year, the Jeff Awards Committee evaluates over 250 theatrical productions and holds two awards ceremonies. Originally chartered to recognize only Equity productions, the Jeff Awards Non-Equity Wing was established in 1973 to celebrate outstanding achievement in non-union theatre.